History

The purpose of history isn’t merely to understand what happened.

As a history major at FSC, you’ll analyze and interpret past events in their contexts to discover why they occurred—all to better understand the present. This means developing the critical-thinking skills and intellectual ability to see the big picture that will prepare you for many careers.

Top Reasons to Study History at FSC

Our faculty includes one of the foremost experts on Florida and Southern history.

You’ll join a tight-knit community that offers annual picnics and film nights with The FSC History Club.

Engaged Learning in the Classroom

Your history classes include group projects, class discussions, and student presentations. But beyond the classroom, you’ll continue exchanging ideas with your professors and other students.

Course Information

You’ll take a range of courses that let you explore the history of everything from Florida’s earliest days to US foreign policy. All of your coursework culminates in a senior capstone course where you’ll develop a major research project based on your interests.

Related Majors

Clubs & Organizations

The History Department sponsors the History Club, a student organization that organizes an annual field trip as well as on-campus activities, like movie nights. The History Club also assists in hosting the Florida Lecture Series.

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Special Features

Our close relationship with the Lawton M. Chiles Center for Florida History provides students with special hands-on opportunities working with historical collections. You can also apply for internships and fellowships in archives, such as the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and the Archives of the Florida Conference of the Methodist Church.

Our majors conduct original research, often collaborating with faculty, and presenting their work at the annual meetings of the Conference of Florida Historians and Florida Historical Society.

We host the Florida Lecture Series, which brings leading historians and thinkers to campus throughout the year.

FSC’s history faculty are award-winning authors, nationally known scholars, and researchers whose experience includes working as a defense analyst in Washington, DC.

Graduate & Professional Opportunities

The skills you’ll develop studying history prepares you for a wide variety of occupations. History majors work in corporations, nonprofits associations, government agencies, as educators, and as researchers. They’re also writers, editors, journalists, information managers, archivists, and librarians. The critical thinking skills required are ideal preparation for law school as well.

Our graduates are also regularly accepted into graduate and professional programs. They’ve recently attended:

Georgetown University

Florida State University

University of South Florida

University of Florida

University of Colorado

Program Requirements

History Major Requirements

A. General Education Requirements

40 hours

B. Major Requirements

36 hours

HIS 4999

Philosophy and Methodology of History

Two courses selected from the following:

HIS 1115

The West and the World to the Early Modern Era

HIS 1125

The West and the World Since the Early Modern Era

HIS 2215

The American Experience through the Civil War

HIS 2225

The American Experience since the Civil War

One course selected from the following:

HIS/POS 3175

Foreign and Security Policy of The United States

HIS 3225

Modern America, 1945-Present

HIS 3231

History of the Old South

HIS 3232

History of the New South

HIS 3355

History of Florida

HIS 3550

Selected Topics in United States or Latin American History

One course selected from the following:

HIS 3155

History of Germany

HIS 3165

History of Modern Europe

HIS 3185

History of England

HIS 3215

History of Russia and the Soviet Union

HIS 3455

Selected Topics in History of the Western World

One course selected from the following:

HIS 3275

History of East Asia

HIS 3365

History of Modern Latin America

HIS 3415

History of the Middle East

HIS 3555

Selected Topics in World or Thematic History

One course selected from the following:

HIS 4455

Seminar on Selected Topics in the History of the Western World

HIS 4550

Seminar on Selected Topics in U. S. or Latin American History

HIS 4555

Seminar in Selected Topics in World or Thematic History

One course selected from any 3000-level HIS offering

One HIS course (non-designated)

C. Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

20 hours

or

D. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

12 hours

E. Electives

28-36 hours

F. Total

124 hours

History Minor Requirements

To earn a minor in History, you must complete twenty hours within the discipline. No more than eight of these hours should be selected from lower-level course offerings (1000-2000), and no less than twelve should be selected from upper-level (3000-4000).

Course Descriptions

HIS 1115 THE WEST AND THE WORLD TO THE EARLY MODERN ERAFour hours. The study of western civilization and its development presented within the context of global history, from human origins to the early-modern era. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals, the course addresses political, social, economic, religious, intellectual, and aesthetic developments. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw), EC-B

HIS 1125 THE WEST AND THE WORLD SINCE THE EARLY MODERN ERAFour hours. The study of western civilization and its development presented within the context of global history, from the beginning of the early modern era to the present. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals, the course addresses political, social, economic, religious, intellectual, and aesthetic developments. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw), EC-B

HIS 2215 THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE CIVIL WARFour hours. The social, political, economic, and intellectual development of the United States from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War. Traditional topics are surveyed, with a special emphasis on the nation’s ethnic and cultural diversity. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw), EC-B

HIS 2225 THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE SINCE THE CIVIL WARFour hours. The social, political, economic, and intellectual development of the United States from the end of the Civil War to the present. Traditional topics are surveyed, with special emphasis on the nation’s ethnic and cultural diversity. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw), EC-B

HIS 3155 HISTORY OF GERMANYFour hours. Prerequisite: One year of college-level coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the major themes in modern German history from the nineteenth century through the present. Major topics covered in the course include unification, the Kaiserreich, the two world wars, the Holocaust, the Cold War, and reunification. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals, the course addresses the role structural factors played in shaping the German experience, including culture, modernization, industrialization, imperialism, war, depression, racism, and gender. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3165 HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPEFour hours. Prerequisite: One year of college-level coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. The course surveys the historical development of twentieth century Europe covering the main historical events in the continent. Topics covered include: the First World War, the Russian Revolution, the unstable interwar period and rise of totalitarian regimes, the Second World War and the Holocaust, the Cold War, the social welfare state in Western Europe since 1945, decolonization, domestic terror, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the origins and development of the European Union. The course focuses on developments affecting the European continent and the world as a whole rather than on localized issues. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals,
the course addresses the role structural factors played in shaping this most fascinating and yet complex period in human history, including culture, imperialism, war, depression, racism, and gender. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3175 FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY OF THE UNITED STATESFour hours. Same as POS 3175. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: One year of college-level coursework or permission of the instructor. This course examines the development of United States foreign policies, with an emphasis on the twentieth century. The course's focus is on the principles, aims, applications, and decision-making processes that shaped America's policies with other states. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, An)

HIS 3185 HISTORY OF ENGLANDFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. The study of English and British history from 1066 AD to the mid-twentieth century. The focus is on those political, social, economic, and cultural developments that have helped to shape constitutional government. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3215 HISTORY OF RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNIONFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union from the origins of the first Russian state to the fall of the Soviet Union, with an emphasis on the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3225 MODERN AMERICA, 1945-PRESENTFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course provides students with an in-- depth examination of Modern America after the Second World War. America’s political, economic, and social history will be examined. Among the major subjects included in the course will be the Cold War, Civil Rights, Vietnam War and anti-war movement, feminism, environmentalism, the crises of the 1970s, the neo--conservative revolution and global confrontations up to the first decade of the twenty first century. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3231 HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTHFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course provides students with an in-depth examination of the South from its Colonial roots through the Civil War. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3232 HISTORY OF THE NEW SOUTHFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. The course provides students with an in-depth examination of the South from the Civil War. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3275 HISTORY OF EAST ASIAFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the historical development of modern China and Japan with some attention to the surrounding regions. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals, the course addresses the role structural factors played in shaping the East Asian experience, including culture, modernization, industrialization, imperialism, war, depression, racism, and gender, with a focus on the differing responses of each civilization to westernization. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3355 HISTORY OF FLORIDAFour hours. Same as LAS 3355. Prerequisites: One year of college-level coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the history of Florida from the Spanish Period to the present. The course examines the major events and personalities in Florida history from chronological and political perspectives. Attention is given to economic, social, and environmental issues that have shaped Florida’s history. Florida’s unique landscape, geography and natural features are also a subject of inquiry in the course. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3365 HISTORY OF MODERN LATIN AMERICAFour hours. Same as LAS 3365. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the major events and personalities in Latin American History from the colonial era to the present. Attention is given to economic, social, geographical, and environmental issues that have shaped the region’s history. The region’s unique landscape, geography and natural features are also a subject of inquiry in the course. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3415 HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EASTFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course surveys the historical development of the Middle East, beginning with the emergence and spread of Islam before turning to the Muslim world’s Golden Age, the invasions by Crusaders and Mongols, the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, and concluding with the region’s transformation during the late-nineteenth and twentieth century’s. In addition to looking at the contributions of prominent individuals, the course addresses the role structural factors played in shaping the Middle Eastern experience, including culture, modernization, industrialization, imperialism, war, depression, racism, and gender. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3455 SELECTED TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WESTERN WORLDFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college-level coursework or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course provides students with an in-depth examination of topics in this history of the western world. Examples of topics include Renaissance and Reformation, French Revolution and Napoleon, Nineteenth-Century Intellectual History, or Europe Between the World Wars. Topics will change. Course may be repeated for credit with a different topic. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3550 SELECTED TOPICS IN US OR LATIN AMERICAN HISTORYFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework or permission of the instructor. This course provides students with an in-depth examination of a particular topic, period, or region in US or Latin American history. Examples of such topics include US or Latin American women’s history, Old South, New South, Civil War and Reconstruction, Jacksonian Era, African-American History, and History of Crime and Criminal Justice in the United States. Topics will change. Course may be repeated for credit with a different topic. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3555 SELECTED TOPICS IN THE WORLD OR THEMATIC HISTORYFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework or permission of the instructor. This course provides students with an in-depth examination of a particular topic, period, or region in world or thematic history. Examples of topics include women’s history, twentieth century genocides, an introduction to cultural history, oil and politics in world history, or the atomic bomb and the nuclear age. Topics will change. Course may be repeated for credit with a different topic.

HIS 3705 HISTORY OF WAR AND SOCIETY IN THE MODERN ERAFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course explores the historical development of warfare in the modern era. It focuses the evolution of military forces and their technology, organization, strategy, and tactics, and the relationship between armed forces and society, especially the link between military service and citizenship. The specific focus of the course will vary, but generally will consider the experiences of western militaries and those regions of the world which they affected. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 3755 SCREENING HISTORYFour hours. Prerequisites: One year of college coursework and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This course studies the use, misuse, and value of historical subjects depicted in films. Students will use films from a variety of genres, times, and places as test cases for analysis of historical events, periods, and personalities. In doing so they will learn to view critically while exploring the use of film to teach and learn history. The specific topic of the course will change. The course may be taken for credit toward the major only once. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql, EC-C

HIS 4455 SEMINAR ON SELECTED TOPICS IN HISTORY OF THE WESTERN WORLDFour hours. Prerequisites: History majors, students with two years of college coursework, or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This intensive reading and writing course provides students with an in-depth examination of selected topics and themes in the history of the western world. The course emphasizes the review of relevant literature and analysis of the methodologies, interpretations, values, evidence, and conclusions contained therein. Topics and themes may be drawn from the entire western historical experience, from the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans to Europe today. Active engagement with and discussion of an extensive set of readings is expected of all students. Course may be repeated once for credit with a different topic. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, Ap), Ql, EC-C

HIS 4550 SEMINAR ON SELECTED TOPICS IN US HISTORY OR LATIN AMERICAFour hours. Prerequisites: History majors, students with two years of college coursework, or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This intensive reading and writing course provides students with an in-depth examination of selected topics and themes in US or Latin America history. The course emphasizes the review of relevant literature and analysis of the methodologies, interpretations, values, evidence, and conclusions contained therein. Topics and themes may be drawn from the US or Latin American experience form colonial times to the present. Active engagement with and discussion of an extensive set of readings is expected of all students. Course may be repeated once for credit with a different topic. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, Ap), Ql, EC-C

HIS 4555 SEMINAR ON SELECTED TOPICS IN WORLD OR THEMATIC HISTORYFour hours. Prerequisites: History majors, students with two years of college coursework, or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. This intensive reading and writing course provides students with an in-depth examination of selected topics and themes in world and thematic history. The course emphasizes the review of relevant literature and analysis of the methodologies, interpretations, values, evidence, and conclusions contained therein. Active engagement with and discussion of an extensive set of readings is expected of all students. Course may be repeated once for credit with a different topic. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, Ap), Ql, EC-C

HIS 4999 THE PHILOSOPHY AND METHODOLOGY OF HISTORYFour hours. Prerequisites: History majors or students with two years of college coursework or permission of the instructor, and successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Focus is on readings and discussion of the major schools of historical thought and the methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative, that have been adopted for the study of the past. Readings are chosen to reflect a variety of perspectives, interpretations, and methodologies. Students will also research, prepare, and present a major research assignment utilizing both primary and secondary source materials. History majors should have completed one of the 400-level topics seminars before enrolling in this course. Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, Ap), Ql, EC-C